Queen unveils UAE's Zayed National Museum

Queen Elizabeth II has unveiled plans for the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi as part of a state visit to the Gulf region.

The British monarch revealed the project at a ceremony also attended by the UAE prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Due to open in late 2014, the museum will be Located in Abu Dhabi's cultural district, Saadiyat Island, and will showcase the history and culture of the Emirates.

According to building.co.uk, the architecturally impressive designs incorporate "a giant man-made mound" in order to help regulate interior temperatures in the hot climate.

"These unusual looking wing-shaped structures were inspired by the late Sheik Zayed's love of falconry and actually function like a wing," observed the website.

"The five towers vent hot air from the building below and negative pressure on the leeward side of the wing will help pull air out of the building."

Earlier this week, the royal state visit saw Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and Chancellor of Cambridge University, sign a partnership between the education institution and the United Arab Emirates University.